Tuesday, January 22, 2008

The Market Trend in Tampa Real Estate

When you are looking into real estate, there are various choices to take a pick from. It might be hard for you to choose, especially if you have not narrowed down your selection. In order to make this decision easy for you, select a real estate which will benefit you greatly. Purchase a property which is located in a safe neighborhood. Of course, the activities that the city or state offers should exciting and fit for people of all ages. You will be able to find these when you opt to buy a Tampa real estate.

The activities and attractions that Tampa offers are so varied that you will be able to find an activity which suits your interests. If you are into sports, you can watch the football, hockey, or baseball team of the city in live action. When you want to hang out at night, you can check out Ybor or Channelside. If you want simple fun with your family, you can go to gardens, beachfronts, or community parks.

The market of real estate in Tampa has seen trends which are similar with the real estate market all throughout Florida. There has been a natural shift from the market of the seller to the buyer. Since the inventory keeps on piling up increasingly, this has lead to the decrease of sale costs. If you are investing on real estate, you will be able to find vast investment opportunities when you choose Tampa real estate.

As of the month of July 2006, Tampa has seen a purchase of 510 homes at an average cost of $245,000. On the other hand, the total average price of real estate in Florida is $257,000. This indicates that real estate in Tampa is relatively lower compared to the properties within the other metropolitan neighborhoods all throughout the state. July 2005 has seen a sale of 872 houses. As of the current year, there has been a 42 percent decrease to the total number of houses closed. During the end of the month, there have been a total number of 4,413 homes which have been put up for sale. Because of the huge number of sold homes, Tampa real estate is offering wonderful opportunities for investors.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Mortgage Loans in Buying a House in Tampa

Tampa, Florida is an ideal place to live in. Tampa has plenty of fantastic white sand beaches. Aside from the renowned beaches, Tampa offers fun and relaxation to the weary individual. Various bars and night spots await you, as well as fabulous cuisine and fine dining. If you love sports, you’ll surely love the local Tampa teams from different sports which are known nationwide. If you want to linger and relax, try the famous golf courses with their perfected greens. Tourists from all places love to spend their vacations here in Tampa. In fact, having a home in Tampa is one of the most ideal aspirations of many people all over the world.

You should try and invest on real estate in Tampa. You can start by applying for mortgage loans. Most people use mortgage loans to purchase a house of their choice. With flexible paying schemes, mortgage loans help finance a new home one way or another.

Avoid mortgage fraud by being better prepared in your mortgage application. Since the rise of mortgage fraud, lenders are tightening their standards by demanding few credit report blemishes and high credit ratings from your account. A number of foreclosures and defaults all point to mortgage fraud. Having false documents on mortgage application is prohibited by law and thus applications are given greater scrutiny.

Getting your mortgage application to be approved requires being prepared and having the complete legitimate documents. There are tips in avoiding mortgage fraud and getting you that mortgage loan that you desire. First of all, you should get your credit report. Thoroughly evaluate your credit report for any bad records in payment that can stall your application and even get it rejected. Next, know the cost of real estate that you wish to purchase. Learn what you can afford by verifying from lenders and mortgage brokers information about the possible amount of mortgage you will receive from your property.

Consider other mortgage companies that give you the best value for your property. Always remember that the overall cost of housing includes not only the price and interest of mortgage payment, but also other fees such as insurance, electric and water bills, maintenance, and repairs. Another advice would be to have backup savings. Lenders are critical at checking if you emptied all your savings account. You need to show that you still have buying and spending power for insurance and other fees. Ready all your documents and prepare backup files. You will never know what information they will seek and it is best to be prepared with all the necessary files to answer any of their questions. Lastly, be available at all times. Allow them to contact you in case they have queries and clarifications.

In mortgage loans, you must submit personal information to make you eligible for approval. Becoming pre-approved means that your documents and information are verified and you are now one final step from receiving your mortgage loan. Once you reach this point, you can now start selecting target houses. The sellers will be more open to you since you have good credit potentials. They will also be more reassured since you already have a pre-approved mortgage.

Call 813-671-6657 or visit us online for all your Tampa Real Estate questions.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

TAMPA FAST FACTS

Found on the western coast of central Florida, Tampa is the state’s largest city. It boasts of a great weather, vigorous economy and first-class entertainment. It also founded on agriculture, health care, and categorically great technology, government, and financial and marketing systems.

The best seasons in Tampa are winter and spring, while summer afternoons are generally muggy or satiated with ostentatious thunderstorms, with temperatures ranging between 90°F and 70°F. Though the city is known in the Guinness Book of World Records that has the most number of days of sunshine, many consider winter as the most pleasant time in Tampa as temperature hovers around 60° F, not to mention Tampa Bay as being Florida’s largest open-water estuary.

Driving a car is the best means of transportation for those who live in Tampa. Major intersections include I-75 and U.S. 41 while its port is the seventh largest in the United States. Even its airline service was among the first cities to have regular scheduling of its services. It is also a leading exporter of phosphate which has numerous industrial use.

Since it is also the biggest market when it comes to media in Florida, many social causes were supported by its citizens. Without being entirely exclusive to social, economic or political causes, it also supports sports and has been headquarters (where they train) to many teams such as the Grapefruit League and New York Yankees. Noteworthy as well is the large percentage of Greek-Americans in the area that Tampa has been called the “Sponge Capital of the World.”

Here are some of the attractions Tampa has to offer to its residents and visitors alike:

  • Land O’Lakes : where the movie “Edward Scissorhands” was filmed
  • The world-famous Skatepark
  • Ybor City for its cigar
  • Tampa Bay beaches
  • American Victory
  • Florida Aquarium
  • Lowry Park Zoo
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • Tampa Bay History Center
  • Tampa Museum of Art
  • Tampa Theatre
  • Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
  • Convention Center and Tourism
  • Henry B. Plant Museum
  • Busch Gardens and Adventure Island
  • Tampa Destination and Visitor Guide

If you have any questions call us for immediate assistance. Be sure to visit us often for up-to-date MLS listings for Tampa Real Estate and Northern Virginia Real Estate.

© 2008 Julia Vakulenko and Tampa4U Team

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Tips on Finding Florida Real Estate Agent

When you look for a Florida Real Estate agent or an agent in any city you want to make sure that they are licensed. There are several things that can make your search easier as well as things you need to look for when looking for an agent.

Here are a few tips to make your search simple:

  • Make sure your agent is trustworthy: When you contact an agent keep in mind that they are there to ensure that you get your questions answered in a quick and correct manor. You are placing the search for your dream home in their hand so making sure you can trust them is a something that should be considered.
  • Checking to ensure that they are licensed: The agent should be able to answer you honestly. State whether or not they are licensed and they usually have their certificate or licenses on display in their office. Doing a search on that specific agent to see what information comes back is wise as well.
  • Making sure the agent is familiar with the area you are interested in: Different areas have different features, types of home, etc… you want to ensure that your agent is familiar with what you are looking for in your home. Your agent should know what houses in that area are going for at that time, what types of houses are for sale in your area of interest, etc…
  • Look for ways to contact your agent: if you are looking for an agent make sure they will answer your calls in a timely manor. Find out the ways they will have to contact them if you need too. Sometimes it can be difficult to get a hold of agents. Or a particular client is consuming a lot of their time. They may not be able to get back to you in a timely manor. You should know this in advance.

Finding the right agent can sometime take a while but will prove worth it in the end. Take you time and make sure they are someone you will be able to work with before signing any documents or rushing into anything. You may be glad you did in the end!

If you have any questions call us for immediate assistance. Be sure to visit us often for up-to-date MLS listings for Tampa Real Estate and Northern Virginia Real Estate.

© 2008 Julia Vakulenko and Tampa4U Team

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Celebrity Buzz: What Do Celebrities Look For in a Home?

Whether it is a Hollywood actor or actress, a famed athlete, or a song diva, there is one thing they all share alike: the comfort of what people call a “celebrity home”. And if there is one thing you notice that all celebrity homes have in common, is that it is built for entertaining.

Lest it be forgotten, celebrities choose to live in a house that can entertain not only family and friends, but colleagues, the media, and whoever they please as well. Celebrities like to purchase or build a home that can shine as brightly as they do. The house that they have to live in has to stand as much in the limelight with or without them inside it. What with the furious camera flashes of the paparazzi and a chance for the home to be showcased in television or magazines, the house has to be built with utmost precision, attention to detail, and style.

As good as a celebrity home looks, it cannot be called completely as such unless it’s standing on a great piece of land. Most celebrities choose to build their homes in the posh Beverly Hills, the sun and beach of Maui, or the excitement and adventure of exotic places. Only the best will do for these famous people. They either choose a land that is flocked with other great celebrities, or a land known for its pristine beauty and enriched with culture and history.

The reasons why celebrities build or purchase a house plays a great influence to what the house is going to be like and where it is to be located. The most common reason for celebrities to build their homes is to give them a chance to get away from the busy schedule that often comes with the package of being a famous person. Their house has to be able to entertain their family and the guests they plan to spend their weekend or holiday with.

Space is an important aspect for celebrities to include in their home. The house has to be spacious and yet still have a good stretch of land for them to roam about. The weather also plays a significant part in choosing a celebrity home. A place where there is sun to perfect their tan and a cool breeze to enjoy lounging around for is sure to entice any celebrity.

As they are accustomed to service, the community they choose to live in should have great resources available and accessible for them. Great shops, great spas, great restaurants, and activity areas are all they would need to be lured into living in that community.

Whether it is a vacation home or a permanent residence, all celebrity homes should have privacy. Celebrities prefer homes that provide them the necessary privacy to enjoy their life away from the glaring eyes of the paparazzi.

Some great sports celebrities are already living in a place that offers them all that and more, that is in Tampa Bay, Florida. Tampa Bay offers celebrities great real estate to choose from fit for entertaining even the finest kings. With great hot spots and the sun and breeze to enjoy, celebrities are offered the best of every world.

If you have any questions call us for immediate assistance. Be sure to visit us often for up-to-date MLS listings for Tampa Real Estate and Northern Virginia Real Estate.

© 2008 Julia Vakulenko and Tampa4U Team

Monday, January 07, 2008

Too Late to Refinance your Mortgage?

Mortgage refinance is a phrase that strikes fear in the hearts of many consumers. Everyone is so afraid to do a mortgage refinance that they just don’t get the move on and get it done. Well the simple facts of the matter are that you’ll always find a better rate somewhere else after you’ve just refinanced, and it’s never too late to refinance your mortgage.

The first of those two statements is just one of Murphy’s laws. It’s like when you buy a new pair of sunglasses, and then they go on sale for half price the very next day.

Mortgages are about the same deal. You’ll do a mortgage refinance to save 3%, which is an incredible savings, and you’ll be thrilled. Then next week you’ll see an ad somewhere to get ¼% lower rate than what you just signed for and you’ll be upset about it. Well, I’m here to tell you that there’s two ways of looking at this. You can either be upset that you missed out on the ¼%, or you can be thrilled that you saved 3%. If you’d just sit there worrying about being wrong, or that the rates might go down again soon, you’d still be paying that extra money every month. So don’t wait, call someone and ask questions about mortgage refinance today! You may be surprised at what you’ll learn.

The second statement, it’s never too late, is also true. No matter what the rates are doing, you can go in and ask questions about things. Many people want to refinance to get some equity out of their home, not just to save money. That can be done, even if you don’t lower your rate much. Or even better, you can get a home equity line of credit, and have a revolving account that you can draw on whenever you want. There are tons of different options out there. If your goal is remodeling, or something similar, then a line of credit is a better option than mortgage refinance, unless rates have gone down at least 2% since you signed your old mortgage.

Now, who do you talk to about this? Whatever you do, do NOT go to your commercial bank. Check with a mortgage broker first of all, and talk to them about your situation. Tell them what’s happening, why you want to refinance your mortgage, and what your goals are for this process. They know tons of lenders. That’s what they do. And they can get you approved for almost anything, and find you the best rates available.

If mortgage refinance scares you, just get up and go talk to a mortgage broker. They’ll put it in perspective, tell you about options you never knew you had, and make you a happy customer no matter what the case may be.

If you have any questions call us for immediate assistance. Be sure to visit us often for up-to-date MLS listings for Tampa Real Estate and Northern Virginia Real Estate.

© 2008 Julia Vakulenko and Tampa4U Team

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Why oh why Tampa??

There has been an increase in interest for the Tampa Area over the last few years. Though most consider Tampa / Clearwater to be a great spring break / vacationing spot many are finding that it has residential perks as well. Tampa’s current population has risen to over 300,000 and the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area is populated with an estimated 2.6 million plus.

Tampa, Florida is known for its warm climate at a comfortable 72 degrees year around and that's one reason why many move here. However Tampa’s Real estate market has dropped its average purchase price from $222 thousand dollars to a low $199 thousand dollars making the price for real estate in Tampa much more affordable specially to first time home buyers.

Tampa has a lot of real estate to offer new comers. Downtown Tampa is undergoing a facelift also and is scheduled to be finished just in time to host the 2009 Super Bowl. Tampa is home to excellent schools and universities such as: University of South Florida and The University of Tampa. According to the “Realty Times” Tampa is a great market for Real Estate these days. The Current prices for Real Estate in Tampa will not be this affordable for long so getting in now is the prime time to purchase.

Tampa is a great place to purchase your home, with its great community atmosphere, excellent climate and ideal entertainment who would want to be anywhere else! Tampa provides great weather for fishing, boating and is home to one of the largest bridge in the United States. The Sunshine Skyway bridge reconstructed in 1989 is now 2,040 feet in length and it quite a sight! Enjoy all this wonderful city has to offer and make it your home!